Nurse’s Journey Through Trauma: A former ICU nurse and close friend recently shared her desire to begin the new year with positivity. Although her optimism seemed unattainable to me at first, I tried to embrace her hopeful outlook.
Earlier in the evening, I had just finished watching Selena: The Series on Netflix. The tears that followed were not only for Selena but also for other extraordinary lives lost too soon—JFK, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, John Lennon, and many others. The tragic memories of school shootings flooded my mind, filled with children and teachers who were robbed of their futures.
Reflecting on a Nursing Career Shaped by Trauma
Nurse’s Journey Through Trauma: My memories from years as an ER nurse and in the surgical-trauma ICU resurfaced, vivid and haunting. The stories of abused children, like the little boy with fractured hips, linger in my mind. His parents claimed he had fallen from a bunk bed, but we later learned he had been thrown down a staircase.
The surgical-trauma ICU held its own share of heartbreaking stories. I remember an 18-year-old who, under the influence of drugs, caused a fatal car accident. He became paralyzed from the neck down. His mother’s hopeful daily calls became part of our routine, though we all knew the grim outcome. Eventually, when the EEG showed no brain activity, we had to let him go.
Another poignant memory is of a college student who took her life after a fight with her boyfriend. The sight of her fractured face told me she wouldn’t survive. Despite the futility, procedures were performed before she was officially pronounced dead. When her mother arrived, I was ready for an outburst, but she stood silently, catatonic, as tears streamed down her face. I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering what little solace I could.
Finding Strength in Kindness Amidst Chaos
These memories, as painful as they are, have shaped who I am. Despite the trauma, I am grateful for my children and grandchildren, who bring joy and love into my life. I cherish the small moments with them and find purpose in everyday acts of kindness.
I make it a point to extend kindness wherever I can, whether it’s holding a door open or paying for someone’s medication. I believe that in a world filled with hatred, small acts of kindness can create ripples of positive change.
Embracing Hope Through Compassion
Tonight, I chose to stay home, comforting my dogs instead of celebrating the New Year. One of my dogs, frightened by firecrackers, needed reassurance. As I soothed him, I reflected on how rescuing him years ago had, in many ways, rescued me.
Kindness, though simple, holds the power to heal and inspire. Even small gestures can make a significant difference. By being compassionate, we can help undo the negativity in the world, one act at a time.
To explore more stories about resilience and hope in the medical field, visit Stanford Physician Advocate.
For more insights from Debbie Moore-Black, read her blog at Do Not Resuscitate.